7. Tell someone where and when you’re going

If you doubt the veracity of this tip and haven’t read the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place, or seen 127 Hours, please absorb the lessons of either before venturing out. They both tell the tale of adventurer Aron Ralston and his entrapment by a boulder in a canyon that required him to cut off his arm after sitting stuck for five days. He was stuck that long—and lost half of his arm—because he never told anyone where he was going…and didn’t go with a buddy.

So yeah: Let people know where you are headed and for how long, and try to buddy up if plans allow. If you’re heading somewhere like a National Park or on a particularly risky endeavor like Mt. Whitney, make sure you also register with the local park rangers, too.